Got the kids in tow during your visit to Lubbock?
Lubbock with kids can be a fantastic time, with plenty of things to do with kids in Lubbock, including interactive museums, kid-friendly restaurants and even amusement parks and thrill rides.
See the latest animation movies at the movie theater, enjoy delicious ice cream cones, and use the parks to burn off all of that extra energy.
Use this guide to figure out the best things to do in Lubbock for toddlers, as well as the best things to do in Lubbock for teenagers and elementary aged children.
GET A FREE TEXAS GUIDEBOOK WITH LOCAL TIPS!
With 71 pages of helpful travel tips and the “best of” Texas lists, this is your ad-free key to your Texas trip.
Want more things to do in Lubbock? Check out these expert guides!
- 21 Incredible Things to Do in Lubbock, Texas
- 19 Original Things to Do in Lubbock, Texas at Night
- 7 Fantastic Christmas Things to Do in Lubbock
- 13 Fantastic Free Things to Do in Lubbock
- 11 Original Date Ideas in Lubbock
- 17 Incredible Outdoor Things to Do in Lubbock, Texas
Okay, everyone grab your favorite Lubbock wall print and let’s go!
1. See the Blockbusters at Cinemark Movies 16
It can get pretty hot in Texas, and there’s nothing better when it’s a bit too warm out than cooling off in the air-conditioning at the movies!
It’ll keep the kids occupied (there’s the standard concession options including candy and popcorn for an extra special treat!) and you can sit back and relax and enjoy as well.
There are plenty of 3D screens at this movie theater, in case you want to see the latest action movie in full 3D.
Create some family-friendly memories at the movies in Lubbock!
2. Explore the Play Street Museum
Interactive children’s museums are some of the best places to take toddlers and elementary aged children in Lubbock, as they combine colors, shapes, designs, and playscapes to make for an incredibly immersive experience.
Let them roam around in the pretend fire and police stations or try their hand at a musical instrument. They can wander through “neighborhoods,” try their hand at working at a grocery store, or play in the baby and toddler soft play areas.
Giving your children that hands-on opportunity for exploration and play is one of the best ways to have fun in Lubbock (and they’ll learn something without even realizing, score!)
3. See a show at the CATS Playhouse
Check the schedule ahead of time to see if there are any performances at this community playhouse while you’re in Lubbock.
All levels of actors can get involved, and this local theater is a really worthy place to spend your money in Lubbock.
Encourage your kids to use their own imaginations and get interested in the arts scene at their family-friendly performances.
4. Get Ice Cream at Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe
Everyone loves ice creams. Especially kids, but also kids at heart.
The best place for ice cream in Lubbock is the Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe.
Not only do they serve up delicious ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and more, but the atmosphere of an old-school ice cream shoppe is a must-see.
Treat the kids to a banana split while you sit in a red and white striped booth or slurp down a milkshake while playing with the jukebox.
It’s not just a place to eat ice cream, but a fun experience to dine-in and enjoy yourselves (and take advantage of the AC!).
They do a great job at catering to different dietary requirements if your kids have different allergies or preferences, and of course there’s always the classic chocolate and vanilla and sprinkles if you don’t want to try the more off-the-wall flavors.
This is a great place to celebrate a birthday with kids in Lubbock!
5. Experience the Silent Wings Museum
While the Silent Wings Museum is also great for adults, this World War II museum featuring the military gliders is also fantastic for kids.
Housed in what used to be the Lubbock airport, this museum has models of the gliders and life-size military history replicas which will leave any child in awe.
It’s not a boring museum with a bunch of long plaques to read with glass cases, but a truly immersive experience that allows you to see the gliders hung from the ceilings towering above you as well as get up close and personal to other World War II artifacts on display.
This would be best for elementary aged and teenaged children in Lubbock.
6. See a football game at Jones AT&T Stadium
You’ve got to take your kids to a football game for the Texas Tech Raiders, the local football team in Lubbock.
They’re family-friendly, an absolutely electric experience, and a great way to make memories in Lubbock that will last a lifetime.
Deck them out in their Texas Tech Raiders gear and enjoy the comfy seating and incredible atmosphere in the stadium.
You’ll see lots of other kids there, as this is truly something to do in Lubbock for all generations.
7. Visit Buffalo Springs Lake
Want to get out in nature?
Go camping at Buffalo Springs Lake to spend some quality time together as a family, or visit for the day.
Take to the lake on a boat to get a different glimpse of Lubbock, or spend some time wandering along the nature trail.
If you’re visiting in the nicer weather months, you might find outdoor scheduled events taking place, but any time of the year, this is a great place to let the kids stretch their legs and run free.
8. Enjoy the FiberMax Center for Discovery
Want to teach your kids about the history of farming in the US, but don’t want to bore them for hours?
The FiberMax Center for Discovery is for you!
This museum is totally hands-on and can help inspire the kids to understand the important of American agriculture by letting them driving a harvesting simulator or climbing on the truck-themed play area.
There are plenty of tractors, farm equipment, and other agriculture artifacts to see up close, and it’s truly the interactive nature of this museum that makes it a home run for kids.
9. Get dinner at Tom and Bingo’s BBQ
Wondering where to eat in Lubbock with kids?
Tom and Bingo’s BBQ is the place to go.
Texas BBQ is absolutely a must-do, and this casual and family-friendly place to eat is totally welcoming of kids and has everything from brisket to spare ribs to perfectly cooked fries.
It’s been there since 1952, and since then has been perfecting the Texas BBQ flavors and process.
The kids can get messy (you can too) and there’s no stuffiness to worry about as you all dig in and cover everything in barbecue sauce.
10. Go fishing at Clifford H Andrews Park
If you’ve got some young fishermen and women in your family, take them to Clifford H Andrews park where you can fish for carp in the lake.
Even if you’d prefer just to watch people fishing, there are lots of other things to do for kids in this park.
Enjoy the unique playground, which prides itself on being specially designed with twists and turns that you won’t find on a “stock” playground.
The kids can burn off energy here, or you can all take to the winding path around the park (especially good if you have a stroller and need some sidewalk).
You’ll also find basketball courts if you want to play a pick-up game, as well as green space to just play tag or other family-friendly games with the kids.
11. Find the thrills at Joyland Amusement Park
Open in the warmer months, Joyland Amusement Park is one of the best things to do in Lubbock with kids.
From kid-friendly rollercoasters (even ones that the smallest of kids can go on as their first “rollercoaster”) to carnival games and more teenage-friendly rides like a Drop Tower, everyone will find something to love here.
Spend the day riding the rides, trying to win the stuffed animals at the carnival, or just wandering around with snacks experiencing a classic amusement park atmosphere.
Enjoy bonding time with your kids as you take to the skies on the “Skyride” which gives you a birds-eye view of the park.
12. Prairie Dog Town
Based in Makenzie Park, Prairie Dog Town is such a unique thing to do in Lubbock with kids.
Here, you’ll spot a herd of prairie dogs that have been part of a family living in the area since the 1930s.
Pack some lettuce to feed them, or just sit back and watch them scurry around and pop out of their tunnels.
The kids will be delighted by these furry creatures and it’s something free to do in the Lubbock sunshine.
13. Cool off at Lubbock Water Rampage
There’s not much better in warm weather than a water park, and Lubbock Water Rampage has everything you need to get outside and burn off some energy without overhearing.
The opening hours are focused around the summer months when you can plunge down the slides, spend time in the kid-friendly play areas themed like pirate ships, and even check out the wave pool.
There are special events, like movie nights, if you want to take part, or you can just head there on your own for the day.
Spend time in the lazy river when you all need to a second to rest, and play in the tiny splash pad for babies if you’ve got little ones.
And don’t worry, parents, as they also serve adult beverages and snacks to keep you hydrated and happy as well!
14. Have adventures at Adventure Park
Whether you want to dart around playing laser tag, try your hand at the go-karts, or go soaring on a zipline and ropes course, Adventure Park in Lubbock is the place for you.
This is truly a kid’s dream come true when it comes to spending time in Lubbock, as they have everything from mini golf to obstacles courses to try out.
There’s a rock climbing wall for those not afraid of heights, as well as an incredible playground that they could spend hours on.
For the video game lovers, there’s an arcade and gameroom too.
Let the kids enjoy this interactive gaming experience with each other, or get involved and get the whole family laughing and running your way through the attractions.
15. Roam around the National Ranching Heritage Center
There’s nothing worse than a stuffy museum for kids, particularly ones where you’re constantly having to tell them to keep their voices down.
Those problems are non-existent at the National Ranching Heritage Center, as this outdoor museum has almost 19 acres and plenty of authentic ranch buildings to explore.
It’s on the campus of Texas Tech and you and the kids can spend time seeing the barns, the windmills, and the old schoolhouses to get a feel for what it would have been like to live on the Plains in the early days of settlement.
Entrance is free, but donations are requested, and the tours through the museum are entirely self-guided so you can take as much time as you want or zip through if you have kids with short attention spans.
16. Play sports at Clapp Park
Whether you want to get the bathing suits on and check out the Lubbock Swimming Pool or take part in family sports on the sports fields, Clapp Park is a great place to go in Lubbock with kids.
There’s a playground and picnic areas, as well as miles of trails through the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum if you need somewhere to wander with a stroller or the little ones who will find fascination in every plant they come across.
17. Spend the day at Mae Simmons Park
Want to be wild and free?
Mae Simmons Park is both of those things!
It’s not a manicured, overly “processed” looking park, but a true callback to natural Texas and untamed Lubbock, where you’ll find wild plants, trails, and gorgeous landscapes.
From here, you can take your hiking shoes onto the Mae Simmons Outer Loop hiking trail (fantastic for views of downtown Lubbock), or you can bring your frisbee and play some disc golf with family and friends.
Want to catch (or catch and release)? The fishing lake is a great place to hang out.
There’s an abundance of natural scenery here, including woods, river beds, and prairies, so put on that bug spray and spend the day here.
18. Feed the Ducks at OW Ribble Park
Bring some duck food along (did you know you actually shouldn’t feed ducks bread?) to this park where you can feed them while they float around the lake.
This is a wide open park with lots of grass and a playground with a swing, so if you’ve got a lot of energy, this is the place to burn it off (parents, we’re looking at you and your little ones).
Have a family get-together at one of the barbecue areas so you can really embrace what it means to be Texan, or get involved in the sports happening at the sports stadium including volleyball.
19. Play disc golf at McCullough Park
Got the passion for disc golf?
With 9 holes to play and fun challenges along the way, McCullough Park is the best place for friends to gather to disc golf, walk the dog, or even fish in the lake.
The green spaces will give the kids space to run around, and there’s a fantastic playground that can keep them occupied for awhile.
If you want to keep it more tame than disc golfing or sliding, use the walking path to see different vantage points from the park and to walk and talk with friends.
20. South Plains Mall
Whether you want air-conditioning, a shopping spree, or an iconic food court dinner, the South Plains Mall is the Lubbock destination for you and the kids.
From Barnes and Noble to H&M, there are plenty of stores to choose from and locals love it for how well-organized it is (you won’t be walking around lost, that’s for sure!)
This is one of the best places to shop in Lubbock, so check it out!
Keep an eye out for events, too, as they often hold drives and fashion shows.
21. Get Dinner at Abuelo’s Mexican
There’s nothing better than some guacamole, and this restaurant in Lubbock serves up some of the best.
Try the Mexican Stack with a crispy tortilla (just trust us), or indulge in stuffed shrimp, the chicken fajitas, and the tres leches cake.
The service is some of the best in town and you’ll have unlimited chips and salsa to munch on while you wait, so there’s no reason not to go, like, right now.
22. Lubbock Community Theatre
To support local theater in Lubbock, look no further than the Lubbock Community Theatre.
Here, you’ll find plenty of productions in the evening featuring local actors and those from further afield, including those who have come up through some of the classes offered by the theater.
23. Play on the playground at Rodgers Park
Right next to Rawls Golf Course is Rodgers Park, where you’ll find a great playground for the kids featuring swingsets, climbing structures, and a soft ground in case they get a bit too adventurous.
There’s also a small pool that kids will love, as well as space to gather with friends and hold birthday parties (some great trees for pinatas!)